The Last Ice Is The Most Dangerous

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Fishing Academy

April is traditionally (and, probably, quite rightly) considered among anglers as the month of the last ice. However, for some reason the phrase “the last ice” is understood literally, that is, under the influence of the spring heat, the ice gradually becomes thinner, breaks, crumbles and, in the end, melts or is carried away by the current.

But the concept of "last ice" is much broader than such a concept and includes a complex of several interconnected events that must be taken into account when fishing at this time. April, first of all, is a period of pre-spring revival. And it also begins with persistent frosts: when in the morning everything around is covered with frost and spreads into a misty haze. During the day, the bright dazzling sun shines, and therefore warmth sets in.

More and more actively melting loose snow turns first into barely noticeable streams, then into more noticeable streams of melt water. Melt water delivers oxygen vital for fish to water bodies, and, washing out the soil, brings insects, their larvae, various types of worms and other various animal food together with particles of earth. The sun is rising higher and higher and the days are getting longer. Increasing the length of the day, in turn, activates the growth of aquatic plants, which release more oxygen. Under the influence of the ever-increasing amount of oxygen in the body of fish, an intensive metabolism occurs, which has a very positive effect on their diet. And the fish noticeably comes to life: the ever-increasing call of the approaching spring sets it in motion.

Even before the appearance of the first rims, pike perch move from their winter camps. Every day their forage migrations become more frequent and prolonged. The insatiable perches resume hunting for fry at an accelerated pace. Due to the increasing illumination of the water, these predators more and more often rise to the upper layers and are often well caught half-water. With ever-increasing zeal, pike scour in search of food. Being motionless in ambush or cautiously making their way from one shelter to another, they lie in wait for gape prey. At this time, pikes of any size grab everything: a jig, a spoon, a wobbler, a twister, a vibrotail and other baits. In addition, pikes are good for live bait. This is the time of the so-called pre-spawning pike.

Cyprinids and other peaceful fish, weakened during the winter, are becoming noticeably more active. They start moving faster and faster, more energetically freed from the excess layer of protective mucus. First of all, such heat-loving fish as carp, bream, crucian carp, rudd, roach, silver bream come to life. It is during this period that under the ice, many fish mature sex products, which force them to feed intensively. Fishing on the last ice in all respects is a completely unpredictable occupation … This is especially true of finding food places, or, more simply, fish trails. It would seem that, according to all fishing canons, the fish tries to stay where small rivers and streams flow into the main river, lake. After all, it is they who bring the main food from the banks.

If you follow this generally accepted point of view, then knowledge of such places should ensure the success of fishing. Of course, it also happens, but not always and not everywhere. The fact is that large fish avoid muddy waters. And therefore, as a rule, it is located away from the main channel or stream. It can be assumed that the suspended soil particles that make up the haze clog the gills and thereby prevent the fish from breathing normally. And so it goes into cleaner water or waits for it to brighten.

When experienced anglers are faced with a similar situation, they act as follows … Starting from the main channel (near the banks of which the main sources of turbidity are located), a number of holes are drilled perpendicularly to it, gradually moving from deep section 1 to sections 2,3,4 (see Fig.. one). In those places where the water is more or less transparent, one can hope for success.

According to the majority of anglers, fishing with dark colored jigs (especially black) is especially prey on the last ice. Probably, this “preference” for fish is due to the fact that the various living creatures of our reservoirs, which come to life with increasing warming, are mostly dark in color. Among the wide variety of baits (especially jigs) used for fishing fish at this time of the year, the first place should be given to the "Devil" jig (see Fig. 2). By itself, this catchy lure has many modifications, both in length and shape, and in the number of hooks, as well as in color.

Quite often anglers put beads, beads or pieces of cambric on the hooks of the "Devil" to attract fish. Cambric is a small piece of electrical wire from which a core is removed and only a shell remains. All kinds of combinations in colors, sizes and their number are obtained from them. Usually fishermen adapt all this artificial "economy" to a specific water body.

Often, a good result is obtained by replanting natural baits, usual for fish, on the "Devil" hook: bloodworms, maggots, caddis flies, burdocks, dung or earthworms, or even combinations of them. I had to see and catch on the last ice on the girders. It is not much different from regular winter fishing: just as tiring and not very productive. The only difference is that as the water warms up, anglers move from deeper places to shallow water. They explain this by the fact that, they say, small fish gradually accumulates near the coast, where the highest concentration of animal food. And the small fish is invariably followed by the predators hunting it.

Needless to say, on the one hand, fishing on the last ice is a very exciting and often mining activity. However, on the other hand, it is also very dangerous, since spring ice does not crunch warningly, like the first ice, therefore it is so insidious. Remember how many fishermen find themselves in the spring on the detached ice floes! Calling for the utmost caution on the ice, I understand perfectly well that I truly look like Don Quixote, because from the earliest times the well-known aphorism: "Hunting is stronger than bondage" works. But take care of yourself …